Duquesne University Top Questions

Wow, well I would certainly tell myself a lot of things. I would definitely tell myself to stay focused and get work finished early. I would also tell myself to apply for many scholarships. Lastly I would tell myself that going off to college will be the best but most challenging years of your life. The transition will be easy but the work load and trying to balance a real job with school is the most difficult part!

While high school tries to ready you for the adventures and perils of college, please be prepared that college is everything and nothing you expected. While you may predict the difficulty of classes, the degree of home-sickness, and the ungodly emphasis on drinking, there is much that will surprise you. First, friendships take longer to form than the first few weeks of school. Friends that stick closer than a brother may develop after years of hard-work, investment, and sacrifice and that is ok and natural. Secondly, there are two kinds of students in college—well there are more, but only two you need to worry about—students that want to pass the class and students that genuinely want to learn. It is time for you to develop a passion for learning and not just passing, because it is these students who will change the world. Finally, life will not always go the way you picture—an important life lesson to learn early. During school a death, a sickness, a divorce, a breakup, or any unpredicted struggle will come your way and may change your life goals and dreams. Do not be overcome, but grow, press-on, and thrive.

Dear Marguerite, As the time comes for you to leave your little town and venture out into the world there is something I want you to always remember. Be brave and trust yourself. You've always known who you are but don't be afraird to expand on that, to explore yourself. You are going to make mistakes but you will never learn anything if you keep holding onto the fear of change. Make sacrafices. You won't always get to go out with your friends so thoroughly enjoy the times that you do. Never forget to make time for those friends of yours because they will be there for you in some of the most trying times you never saw coming. And when you have to study (and you know they should too) don't be afraid to encourage them to evolve and grow. Hold them to their own standards. And last but not least, remember this is all a lesson. It's more than the test scores, presentations, and projects. This is about you. Learn, grow, enjoy, and experience because you'll never get an opportunity like this again. Love, Marguerite

You're entering college... I know you've faced many trials getting here, but Jordan, I believe in you...Know this, everything you do from this point on, make sure it’s done with a purpose. You're going to make mistakes, make friends, overload, fall in love, deal with ignorance, and question your entire belief system. However, I know you won't for second lose your resolve or forget why you’re in college. Don’t focus on your life in high school whether it be negative or positive. Figure out what your mark in college is going to be and figure out with whom you’re going to make it. This life is short and at times it can be unforgiving, but you know that already...Listen a lot of people in college won't understand the circumstances you come from or the experiences you've had, but that’s ok...Let all those things motivate you more and more! So you never forget your ambitions… Because the road isn't always clear, but I swear to you Jordan, if you stay true to who you are and what’s got you here, there’s no limit.

I would tell myself: "Apply early, apply for more than one school, and don't enlist in the Navy. Make the choices that are in your own best interest. Focus on your future and get plenty of sleep. Most important, wait one year before joining a sorority in college, it's totally different from the movies. It will get you into more trouble than you need. Study hard and get to class on time. You won't win all your battles, but you'll eventually win the war."

In high school , I was a very hard working student that likes to put forth her best effort and performance. As a result, I was able to maintain a 4.25 G.P.A throughout my high school years. Therefore, If I could go back to being a high school senior, I would not change any of my high school academic pursuits. Since high school, I was careful to maintain a balance in my day providing a specified amount of time for each of my activities. As a result, I would advice myself to maintain both the academic rigor and the daily balance as both are very important aspects of success both in college and in daily life. Also, I would advice myself to avoid the constant fear that emerges during the first week of college. Instead, I would advice myself to be courageous and tell myself that I would perform greatly as long as I work hard and be presistent. I would also ask myself to maintain my organized weekly schedule scheduling important weekly events as it is extremely necessary in college to maintain self-preparation and organization to ensure academic success.

When deciding where I wanted to go for college, I made silly decisions based on friends and my relationship. If I could go back, I'd have chosen to go somewhere I could play lacrosse, save money, and still make friends with people similar to me. When I began college, I let others mold me into who they wanted me to be. I ended up a victim of mental and physical abuse, which caused me to transfer colleges. Now, I'm a strong woman and stand up for myself as soon as I see signs that someone is trying to hurt or change me. Looking back now, being the woman I've grown up to be, I wouldn't have waited until my sophomore year of college to stand up to a boy. Instead, I would have fought back the moment he raised his voice, tossed me around, or dragged me by my hair. I think thats the most important thing about transitioning into college: knowing who you are and not letting anyone treat you or tell you differently. Staying true to who you are is the hardest (and most rewarding) part of the college experience.

If I were able to give advice to myself at age 18, I would not do it. First of all, there is no advice that I would have heeded at age 18. I was stubborn, clever, and too proud to admit that anyone could know more than myself. More importantly, I am only successful now because of all of the things that I screwed up then. I had to learn the consequences of not paying attention to the money that I spent before I could appreciate the need to stick to a budget. I cared more about how impressive my career sounded to other people, than how I wanted to spend my days. Now that I am returning to school for my second degree, I have no doubts about my career path. This confidence was given to me by my 18 year old self who chose completely wrong things for our life. I could tell myself to work harder and get better grades, but because she partied and had a social life I have another dimension of experiences. I have made mistakes in the last 10 years, but I have no regrets.

I don’t believe in telling people what to do unless I’ve done it myself. Even to, well, myself. I could tell you what I've discovered, but you won’t see it like I do. I can tell you what to be, but it won’t mean much to you right now. For you to truly know what you want you have to discover it yourself. What I will tell you is not to go college right away; you need more time to find a passion. See the world, learn more of it, and experience cultures. You should still join the military to get close to what is real in the world, and to know how bad it can be. If you realize you are ready for college, you'll do well. We can’t help to do it right. I won’t tell you not to stress out either because it works for us. Find a love and don’t worry if you lose her. You'll take what you need from her to keep going. For how to find her, nothing’s changed, I still don’t really know. For that, you’re on your own.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would heavily advise myself to go into college confidently. I was very timid in high school and it didn't exactly disappear once I made it to the college institution. As such, I did not make many friends- or rather, I had many opportunities to make friends but was to meek to actually follow through on them. This is not to say that I am not happy, however I rarely feel like I belong with my class. The grades are not an issue, though I have very little social life. I think the best advise I could give myself and anyone going into college is that everyone is coming in as a blank slate. Just as all your high school friends are going somewhere else, so are thier's, and maybe all they need is that friendly smile and wave to be exactly what you need. Be confident and be friendly and you'll be surrounded by good people in no time. You hear that, me?

I know you are very excited about starting college. But just remember to not burn yourself out with all the things you want to accomplish. You have 4 whole years ahead of you to accomplish all your goals. Take your time do not rush and do not panic. Remember to take time out for yourself to do absolutely nothing, just relax and enjoy that moment. Try your best to live in the moment, with so much going on around you I know it's hard. But trust me you will appreciate it. Also never let someone tell things will never be as you plan them to be. When you have a Plan A and Plan B, one of them will happen. Trust me I know. Believe it or not the steps in your plan are actually falling right into place.

The main advice I would give myself is to apply for more scholarships before you graduate highschool. There are so many out there for highschool seniors. Instead, I am sitting here as a collgee freshman trying to keep up with my coursework and pay for college which is not the easiest thing to do. Apply ahead of time. Don't burden your family with financial debt because you want your senior year in highschool to be easy and enjoyable. We all know you will have free time. Use it wisely!

If I could go back in time to when I was a high school senior, there is alot of advice I would have given myself. First, I would have told myself to apply for as many scholarships that I could. Knowing now what I have to pay back in student loans already that is one regret that I have is not taking the time to do that. Another big thing is to take more time to study and not worry about personal life.

Don't waste your time on music education and start off with a music technology degree. This way you can graduate in 4 years NOT 5 becasue of transfering/working on the side.

START EARLY. There is no way of knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life right now, and the people who tell you they do are just plain lying. But it doesn't hurt to explore. Figure out the basic things you want in a college and start your search as early as possible. Everything will work out for the best so don't start stressing your freshman year about what college to apply to, just don't wait until the end of junior year either. It all happens for a reason though. And always remember who you are and where you came from.

You want a small, libreral-arts or technical visual media school. You want other creative-minded people. The people are Duquesne are not the type of people you want to go to school with. Look at more schools. Find the one that suits you, not the one that gives you the most money.

I would tell myself to get involved in all of the clubs and organizations right away, and to take advantage of any and all opportunities provided. Clubs and organizations are a great way to make friends who share common interests and to become more familiar with your school. I did not get very involved in school programs until my sophomore year, and I made a lot more friends, and got more out of my education the more involved I became. Also, opportunities do not last forever. I had the chance to go to Africa for a month out of the summer to study medicine in third world countries and then go on a safari. It was a costly trip and I put it off too long; the school no longer does that trip. Lastly, I would tell myself to never be afraid to ask for help. College classes are difficult and at times it can be very stressful. There are many resources here that can really help you transition from high school level work to college level work. There is nothing shameful about getting a tutor for a class or asking a teacher for extra help.

Listen up! I’m only going to say this once: I’m you from the future. It’s a little freaky but deal with it. I can’t tell you what path you’re going to go down (it would interrupt this whole space-time paradox we have going on here), but I can tell you that if you just stick to your heart, love every second of your life and stop caring about what people think about you, in 2 years, you will be the happiest person you’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Take a second to breathe, retreat and meditate because college’s fast pace changes your entire life. It flips things in perspectives you thought were nearly impossible – don’t worry, you’ll like whatever outcome it throws at you. Do what makes you happy and don’t let anyone stop you, not your family, not your friends – no one. Deep trusts will fail but in that dark shadow of betrayal, other relations shine brighter than before. Stay true to yourself; true ties will follow. Also, your girlfriends breaks up with you; deep down it's not true love. You find someone better.

Dear High School Me, Dump your boyfriend. Save your money. Don't study on Fridays when the rest of your friends are going to the movies or a party downtown. Get to know your roommate, you may need her to be there for you one day. Be yourself and don't try to fit into a crowd that you don't belong--just focus on you! You only have four years to enjoy your life before the real-world will get in the way, so enjoy yourself. Some of the people you meet today will become your best friends. Just get out there and talk to someone! The next four years are going to go faster than you will ever be able to imagine. So, cherish every moment you have and remember: "If you aren't worth his time, then he isn't worth yours!" Good luck! Love, Me

I would remind myself to work harder when it came to applying for scholarships. Although my school is on the smaller side, it is still rather expensive and our financial aid office isn't the most helpful when looking for outside scholarships. Applying for scholarships in high school was quite a bit easier; while in college, you have to balance your schoolwork, your social life, and your job, which makes writing essays for scholarships hard to fit in.